The ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 has witnessed a historic milestone: for the first time ever, two top-10 ranked FIFA teams have been eliminated in the first round of the knockout stage. Germany, ranked 10th, and the Netherlands, ranked 8th, both exited the tournament after penalty shootout defeats, according to ESPN.
Germany's Penalty Heartbreak Against Paraguay
Germany's post-2014 World Cup decline continued as they crashed out in the Round of 32, having been eliminated in the group stage in their previous two editions. The four-time world champions suffered their first-ever FIFA World Cup elimination in a penalty shootout, having won each of their previous four shootouts at the tournament. It was also only their second defeat on penalties at a major international tournament, the first coming against Czechoslovakia in the 1976 UEFA European Championship final (5-3), as per OptaJoe.
The match ended 1-1 after extra time. Germany thought they had secured a place in the Round of 16 when Tah headed home from a corner in the 101st minute. However, following a VAR review, referee Jalal Jayed disallowed the goal after ruling that Germany defender Waldemar Anton had impeded Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill in the build-up. The subsequent penalty shootout saw Paraguay prevail 5-3.
Morocco Edges Netherlands in Penalty Thriller
African giants Morocco kept their World Cup dream alive with a thrilling 3-2 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands after the sides were locked at 1-1 following extra time. After a tightly contested first half with few clear-cut chances, the breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when Cody Gakpo scored for the Netherlands. The Dutch appeared set to progress until Morocco produced a dramatic stoppage-time response. In the 91st minute, Chemsdine Talbi delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area, and Issa Diop rose highest to power a header past the goalkeeper to level the score at 1-1.
The equaliser shifted momentum in Morocco's favour, but neither side created a decisive opportunity during the additional 30 minutes of extra time. Both teams remained disciplined defensively, forcing the contest to penalties. The shootout was a tense affair: players from both sides missed two penalties each, while Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou once again demonstrated his penalty-saving reputation by correctly diving to deny Crysencio Summerville. With the scores level, Ismael Saibari stepped up to take Morocco's decisive penalty and calmly converted, sealing a 3-2 shootout victory and sparking jubilant celebrations among the Moroccan players and fans.
Historic Knockout Stage Record
This marks the first time in World Cup history that two top-10 ranked FIFA teams have been eliminated in the first knockout round. Germany's exit continues their struggles in major tournaments since winning the 2014 World Cup, while the Netherlands' defeat adds to their recent penalty shootout woes. Morocco, meanwhile, advances to the Round of 16, keeping their 2026 World Cup hopes alive.
